The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

Mr. PRINTER,

By giving the following a place in your Paper you will oblige a constant Reader.

MEN in almost every age have been peculiarly fond of inventing something new against the ladies, and setting their foibles in the most aggravated point of light. Gentlemen, I appeal to common sense, and your own reasons, if this does not discover a weakness in our sex? It is well known (to the shame of parents I speak) that the female world, as a sex, are too much neglected in their education; vastly more so than the gentlemen. It is well known also, that custom forbids their writing and publishing in their own defence. Can we then deny its being a folly in us, to rack our imaginations in inventing some invective against the ladies? Surely no. It is as ridiculous, as for a person well armed, to fall upon another who has no weapon of defence. It is those who are connected only with the looser part of the sex, who are so cruel in their asperations. I am not so firm an advocate for the ladies, as to deny matters of fact: Am sorry to observe there are many; too many, who are wholly taken up in a perpetual round of diversion. The assembly and toilet are the height of their ambition; this I say is the case with too many--yet who can deny but there are multitudes who move in a more exalted sphere of modesty, knowledge and virtue, who are adorned with every grace and charm which a poetical imagination can paint. The delicacy of their constitutions, the agreeableness of their address, and the softness of their manners are but so many inexpressible charms. Let the libertine, the debauchee and the rake, use all their oratory and ironical fire in endeavouring to degrade the fair sex; let them also practice all the machinations to seduce them from the rules of the strictest chastity; yet (to the honor of the ladies be it spoken) there are many who will preserve their virtue and modesty unspotted. I repeat it again--It is those who are connected only with the looser part of the sex, who are so cruel in their asperations. They judge and condemn all from their circle of acquaintance--because they have been so unfortunate as to be connected with those who are a disgrace to the human species, the whole sex must be represented as fickle, inconstant and unworthy of notice--too contracted for a noble mind. I will only add, that the society of delicate, sensible and judicious ladies has a tendency to embellish the man, polish the gentleman, and soften the manners.

Amicus Puellarum.